Calimera, family tragedy: 8-year-old boy found dead at home, mother's body recovered from the sea. Murder-suicide suspected.

A shocking tragedy has struck the community of Calimera, in the heart of Salento, where a mother and son were found dead just hours apart and in different locations. The main investigative hypothesis is that of a murder-suicide, but investigators are working without excluding any leads.

The double discovery: mother at sea, son at home

The victims are Elia Perrone, 8 years old, and his mother Najoua Minniti, 35 years old, originally from the province of Reggio Calabria, but a long-time resident of Calimera.

The first report occurred in the afternoon, when a diver engaged in a dive off the coast of Torre dell'Orso, in the Melendugno area, located the woman's lifeless body in the sea. The Port Authority intervened immediately to recover the body.

Shortly thereafter, alarmed by his son's failure to return and the news that his ex-wife had been found, the child's father reported the disappearance to the Carabinieri. Law enforcement officers went to the home where mother and son lived: a body was found in the bedroom. the lifeless body of little Elia.

Wounds on the child's body: signs consistent with an assault

According to initial information, the following were found on the child's body: signs of strangulation e stab wounds, elements that support the track of a violent act that occurred inside the houseHowever, the autopsies, already ordered by the Lecce Public Prosecutor's Office, will clarify the precise causes of death of the child and his mother.

On the morning of the tragedy, the woman had not accompanied her son to school, a circumstance that contributed to raising alarm among acquaintances and school staff.

Carabinieri investigations: the murder-suicide lead

The Carabinieri of the Lecce Provincial Command are reconstructing the entire incident, analyzing the woman's movements in the preceding hours and verifying every detail necessary to understand what happened between Calimera and the waters of Melendugno.

The main hypothesis under consideration, as can be seen from the first investigative sources, is that of a murder-suicideThe mother allegedly killed her son, then committed suicide by jumping into the sea. However, no definitive confirmation will be forthcoming until the autopsy and crime scene investigations.

A shocked community: the mayor's words

The news deeply shocked the small town in Salento. The mayor Gianluca Tommasi She shared a long and touching message on social media: "The last few hours have deeply shocked our community. The tragedy that has struck us—the discovery of the body of one of our fellow citizens at sea and, shortly thereafter, that of her son in their home—represents an immense and difficult-to-understand pain."

The mayor emphasized the importance of supporting young people in particular: "A special thought goes to the children and young people of our country, who are most at risk of being affected by fear and confusion. Schools will offer a listening ear and support."

Tommasi then urged caution and respect: "Let's avoid rumors and unverified reconstructions. Today, more than ever, we must remain united. Our community has always been able to react with dignity, and we will do so again, together."

Autopsies in the next few hours

The Lecce Public Prosecutor's Office will soon assign the two autopsies, which are crucial to determining the timing, circumstances, and exact cause of death. Currently, no information definitively rules out or confirms the cause of death.

The Carabinieri investigations are continuing with the utmost confidentiality.

A tragedy that leaves questions and pain

The deaths of Najoua Minniti and her little boy Elia have shocked the entire province of Lecce. Many have expressed their condolences and sympathy to the family, while questions remain as to what might have driven the woman—if the hypothesis is confirmed—to take such a drastic step.

A tragedy that has left an entire country silent, amidst disbelief, grief, and the need for answers.